by Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports

by Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports

The NBA fined the Houston Rockets $150,000 for talking about center Dwight Howard during the free-agency moratorium period, two people with knowledge of the fine told USA TODAY Sports.

They requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the fine, which was announced in an e-mail to team executives.

After Dwight Howard decided last week he would sign with Houston Rockets, which was first reported by USA TODAY Sports, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey went on Twitter and TV in Houston and discussed Howard's decision. That is against league rules during the moratorium, which lasts from July 1-10 this year.

While Howard's decision is common knowledge, teams cannot complete deals or talk about agreements reached during the moratorium.

Morey made at least five Tweets after Howard's decision was revealed and went on Comcast SportsNet Houston to discuss Howard's decision.

The memo sent to league executives addressed Howard specifically, and the contents of the memo were shared with USA TODAY Sports: "Under league rules, such comments are not permitted during the moratorium period. Please be reminded that during the moratorium period, teams are not permitted to announce publicly that they have agreed to terms of player contracts or offer sheets to free agents."

The Rockets also were fined in June for tampering after a story on Houston's official team website discussed players who were still under contract with other teams but were expected to be free agents in July.